Trivandrum , 13 December (H.S.) In the local bodies' elections in Kerala, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has claimed the Top seat of the state capital by clinching 50 seats out of 100 in municiple corporation of the city.

BJP has captured 50 seats out of 100 while LDF won 29 seats, 19 seats are gone to UDF, and 2 seats have been won by others. Initially, there was a close contest between the LDF and the BJP, but later the BJP was in a position where it could not get it. In the elections held for 100 wards, 51 seats are required for an absolute majority. The BJP is one seat short of that. But at present, the possibility of the other two parties standing together against the BJP is very low. Many political Pundits compare this win similiar to that of BJP'S win in Ahemmadabad municipal corporation in Gujarat, which started the stronghold of BJP in the state and eventually produced stalwarts like Prime Minister Modi and Amit shah

In Nemom block, it won almost all the seats except two seats. In Vattiyoorkavu, the BJP has shown its strength by winning all the seats except two seats. This time, the elections were held in 100 wards of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. By-elections will be held on another day in Vizhinjam. There are two independents, Radhakrishnan in Kannanmoola and Sudheesh in Pound Kadavil. Currently, with an assembly election on the doorstep, the LDF and UDF standing together will not pose a threat to the BJP. That is why the BJP has secured the mayor's post.

When the BJP entered the 2015 local body elections, they had only seven seats in Thiruvananthapuram. When they increased that number to 35, the CPM and Congress in the capital were equally shocked. The CPM went on to rule the Corporation with the support of the Congress. Five years later, when the results of the 2020 local body elections came out, the BJP once again secured 35 seats.

It has been the BJP's long-cherished dream for the past ten years to have a BJP Mayor receive the Prime Minister of India according to protocol when he lands in the capital. The story of the party growing from 7 seats to a force capable of ruling the capital city of Kerala single-handedly in ten years is also a story of systematic work and long-term vision. The BJP campaigned by repeatedly assuring voters, among other things, that they would bring Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Thiruvananthapuram.

The BJP, under the leadership of State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, conducted a campaign that understood the pulse of the city dwellers, focusing on the Vizhinjam Port, related development, and the Thiruvananthapuram Metro Rail. In Kerala, a state with no shortage of political infighting and controversies, the BJP presented a development manifesto to the capital's voters.

The results indicate that the voters of Thiruvananthapuram wholeheartedly welcomed the promises of the party ruling the Central government.

The BJP adopted a strict stance on matters starting from candidate selection. The final list of candidates was approved with the involvement of the RSS. Seats were allocated to sitting councilors, among others, based solely on performance merit. The campaign strategy that was adopted and successfully executed from the beginning included the promise to bring the Prime Minister within 45 days if elected to power and to accelerate development projects.

Record-low turnout

The civic polls recorded the lowest voter turnout in 15 years, with only 58.29 per cent of voters casting their ballots. This marks a decline from 59.96 per cent in 2020 and 62.9 per cent in 2015. Even during the COVID-19-affected polls in 2020, turnout in the city hovered around 60 per cent.

The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation polls have unfolded as a three-cornered contest involving the LDF, the UDF and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The LDF entered the race aiming to retain control of the Corporation, targeting 55 to 60 seats, even while anticipating losses in some sitting wards. The UDF, which began its campaign early, sought to hold on to its earlier tally. The BJP aimed to emerge as the principal opposition, projecting gains of 15 to 20 seats on the back of growing support in recent local body elections.

Sources had earlier suggested the BJP could secure up to 50 seats, underscoring its rise from an 11.06 per cent vote share in 2010 to 30.46 per cent in 2020.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Roshith K